Swachh Bharat Abhiyan should not remain a government programme, but a programme of every citizen who should strive hard to keep his or her surroundings clean, said Fr. Aquin Noronha, priest at St. Dominic Church, Ashoknagar, on Sunday.
Speaking after launching the 23rd shramadan of Ramakrishna Mission’s Swachhata Abhiyan fifth phase here, Fr. Noronha said the mission’s efforts to preserve nature were laudable. Builder Ramkumar Bekal, mission convener Swami Ekaga myananda and others were present. Following the flag-off, volunteers cleaned the area around St. Dominic Church junction. The black spot in front of the church was cleared while a petty shop not being used was removed. The ground was levelled and a pit that was not being used was filled up. Several pots with flowering plants ha ve been kept at the spot.
Volunteers also cleaned the road towards Kodikal and the adjoining footpaths. Stones and sand scattered on the footpath were removed. Another group cleaned the road towards Urva Store and a concrete waste bin lying in the corner of the road was removed. This spot was also beautified with flower plots.
Waste bins
On the occasion, former MLC Ganesh Karnik flagged off the mission’s initiative to distribute waste bins to shopkeepers across the city. It plans to distribute 500 waste bins of 60-litre capacity, sponsored by MRPL, to encourage customers to throw trash into them instead of public places.
The sixth shramadan of the Swachh Puttur Abhiyan was carried out in Nehru Nagar near Vivekananda College. M.S. Bhat flagged off the drive.
Meanwhile, the bridge leading to Kayarthdaka was painted and its surrounding areas cleaned.
